I wrote these few words for Stephen and Holton Hall Park when I heard that Arthur had died:
Arthur’s death feels like the end of an era for Holton Hall Park. I knew him for 10 years, 2009 to 2019, and during that time he taught me an enormous amount. He was my go to person for any advice on the park, and I could not have been an effective site manager without him. He not only knew all corners of the park, he knew who to contact to get something fixed, he knew the history of the park and the people who created it. I never knew him speak ill of anyone.
Looking through old files, I see how much is is quietly mentioned. Underpinned the work at the park he did. He helped create the Park and is part and parcel of it.
Chris Sutherland appointed Arthur Ling, to be the Parks contractor. The Sutherlands and Doges and Arthur used to drink at the Triple Plea. Though the Dodges, Chris met Arthur when they had a problem with the tractor the Fordson. (The tractor was given to the Park by a member who lived where
Mary and Geof live now). They’d had numerous quotes, all expensive and entailing complex work. Arthur however, found and solved the problem simply and mechanically up at the Yard. From then on Chris employed Arthur as a regular contractor on the park,
Chris had the Silt trap built. He understood how important it was to collect the silt to prevent the lake from silting up. He kept the ditches clear. Chris organised the grassland to be cleared of sapling trees – sallow willow was everywhere on the meadow – which made it impossible to cut effectively.
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